Karalepis stewarti Hardy, 1984
Scaly-headed triplefin
Karalepis stewarti
photo by Clements, K.

Family:  Tripterygiidae (Triplefin blennies), subfamily: Tripterygiinae
Max. size:  15 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range 0 - 33 m
Distribution:  Southwest Pacific: around mainland New Zealand.
Diagnosis:   
Biology:  Nocturnal species found in crevices or holes during the day. Adults feed on small crustaceans and mollusks (Ref. 13227). Eggs are hemispherical and covered with numerous sticky threads that anchor them in the algae on the nesting sites (Ref. 240). Larvae are planktonic which occur primarily in shallow, nearshore waters (Ref. 94114).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 06 May 2010 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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